"For years, my house was in terrible condition, with weakened walls that seemed ready to collapse, but I couldn’t afford to renovate it. My only income came from burning and selling charcoal, which barely covered basic needs, making house repairs impossible. However, when I received the transfer, I felt a renewed sense of hope and decided to rebuild my home using bricks, which are much more durable than the old building poles. I was able to purchase cement and a truckload of sand, and I’m now in the process of making bricks for the renovation. I look forward to having a stable, secure home at last, free from the constant worry of it collapsing."

"As I considered my options for investing the funds from these transfers, I decided to focus on an income-generating venture. I ultimately chose goat rearing and am pleased to have acquired nine goats so far. I believe that investing in goats is a wise strategy due to their ability to multiply quickly. This allows me to either sell them or trade them for dairy cows, which is my long-term goal. Once my goat population grows sufficiently, I aim to exchange some of them for a dairy cow. Having a dairy cow would be advantageous as it would provide me with milk to sell, generating additional income to support my family. I am confident that expanding into dairy farming will greatly enhance my family’s well-being and help secure a better future for us."

"I am currently employed as a motorcycle driver while my wife runs a small fried chicken business. With five school-aged children, we have to work diligently to generate enough income to support them. The assistance we receive from GiveDirectly has significantly reduced our financial strain, allowing us to have extra income for our family. Looking ahead to the next year and beyond, I have two main priorities to address. First, I aim to build a proper coop for my poultry. I started this project to prepare for when the transfers end, ensuring that I will have a sustainable investment that provides income during financial difficulties. Chickens reproduce quickly and have a strong market demand, which is why I chose to invest my transfers in this venture. I plan to continue using part of my transfers to purchase more chickens and expand my poultry farming. I am pleased to say that I already have ten chickens, which is a solid starting point. Additionally, I want to prioritize my children's education by allocating another portion of my transfer to cover their school fees, ensuring they receive the best possible education. As the saying goes, education is the key to success, and I want to make certain that my children are well-educated so they can support themselves and their families in the future."

"As usual, I woke up early to get my children ready for school. Since there’s not enough lighting in my home, I often use my phone to see in the dark. Just as I was about to begin my morning chores, I noticed a new message on my screen. It was an Mpesa notification, and as I read through it, I was overjoyed to see it was my first transfer from GiveDirectly. At daybreak, I couldn’t wait to express my gratitude for this support, which would now allow me to meet my financial needs with much greater ease."

"I am incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received, which has truly been a lifeline for me. Three years ago, a growth began to develop in my throat. After several consultations and tests, I was advised to undergo surgery and treatment that would be costly. Although I managed to go through some initial procedures and imaging, financial limitations prevented me from moving forward with the surgery. For the past three years, I’ve relied on medication, hoping to raise the funds needed for the operation, but that day never came. Even the doctors who initially committed to perform the surgery postponed it indefinitely. Despite taking medication, the pain was often unbearable. Receiving this financial support has been an enormous relief. I was able to return for further assessments, and now, with the resources to afford the surgery, I’ve finally been given a date for the procedure. I am sincerely grateful to GiveDirectly and look forward to regaining my health after the surgery."

"The biggest difference in my life after receiving payments from GiveDirectly is that I now have invested in a cow. This investment will not only provide our family with fresh milk but also allow me to sell some of it, creating an additional source of income. Additionally, I now have access to daily food, which was not possible before. This change has significantly improved my family's well-being and security, enabling us to live healthier and more stable lives. I can now focus on our nutrition without worrying about where our next meal will come from, which brings us incredible relief and newfound joy."

"I am a widow with three children, and I rely on my son who does casual jobs for provision. When I received my most recent transfers, I knew I had to make some important investments. First, I invested $150 on a cow. This cow will help us produce milk, which is a valuable source of food and income for our family. After that, I spent $129 to renovate the roof of my house because it was leaking during the rainy season. Fixing the roof was essential to keep us safe and dry. With $41, I bought a sack of maize to ensure we had enough food at home. I need to keep my family well-fed and healthy. I also used $30 to pay school fees for my grandchildren, as their education is a priority for me. After taking care of these urgent needs, I saved the remaining $200 to help build a house for my daughter, who separated from her husband. It breaks my heart to see her struggle, and I want to provide her with a safe place to call home. These transfers have allowed me to support my family and make a positive impact on their lives."

"The biggest difference in my life after receiving the transfer from GiveDirectly is the transformation of my financial stability. Before, I struggled to make ends meet through firewood selling, but now, I have managed to revive my petrol business, selling small quantities to motorbike riders in the village. This new stream of income has not only brought relief but has also allowed me to provide more consistently for my family. We are in a much better place now, and I can contribute more meaningfully to our household. Running this business was something I couldn’t do before due to a lack of capital, but now I have the means to sustain it."

"The biggest difference in my life after receiving the transfer from GiveDirectly is the transformation of my financial stability. Before, I struggled to make ends meet through firewood selling, but now, I have managed to revive my petrol business, selling small quantities to motorbike riders in the village. This new stream of income has not only brought relief but has also allowed me to provide more consistently for my family. We are in a much better place now, and I can contribute more meaningfully to our household. Running this business was something I couldn’t do before due to a lack of capital, but now I have the means to sustain it."

"I am a widow relying on my son, who does casual jobs to support our family. When I received my first transfer, I knew I had to prioritize my health, as I was not feeling well. I used $130 for medication, and I am now happy and grateful that this money helped me on my road to recovery. It has been a huge relief to feel better, and I can start planning for the future with more strength. The support I received provided me with peace of mind and allowed me to focus on getting back on my feet. To ease the burden on my son, who works hard to provide for us, I used $30 to buy food for the family. It was important to give him some relief from the tiring jobs he does, ensuring we had enough to eat for a while. I also wanted to support my grandchildren in their education, so I spent $20 on their school examination fees. I set aside the remaining $370, waiting until I fully recover so I can carefully plan how to use it for the best benefit of our family. I am hopeful that this money will help us make meaningful progress in the days ahead."